ALLEGAN, MI — At 7-feet-tall, Otsego’s Seth Dugan automatically draws the attention of curious eyes when he walks into a room.

Last year, as a sophomore on varsity, Dugan could occasionally slip by because his 6-foot-8 older brother, Reid Dugan, was also a member on the basketball team.

When Reid’s senior season came to a close at the hands of Plainwell in the district semifinals, the brothers thought their time on the same team was over.

“I wish we could’ve had it back,” Seth said. “We had that bond where we always seemed to know what each other was doing and where we were at on the floor. It was great.”

Instead, the brother’s basketball relationship took a sharp change of direction as Seth prepared for this season.

While his playing days are over, Reid joined the Otsego coaching staff for Seth’s junior season.

“It was different at first,” Reid said about the transition from player to coach. “I liked it once I started getting into it and helping out with everything.

“I enjoy helping him out and we’re really close. I think he likes having me there and I like being there for him.”

Seth, who is having a stellar season average about 16 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks per game, is one of the leaders on the Bulldogs’ team despite being a junior.

Before Otsego’s district final matchup against Plainwell Friday night, Seth said he wanted to knock off the Bulldogs’ rivals not only for his teammates, but also for his brother because of everything Reid has taught him.

“For as long as I can remember, he always took me places to where I could play or practice,” Seth said. “Whether it was his team, he’d bring me along and throw me right in there.

“He always took care of me and looking back and down the road to the younger guys, I feel like that’s one of the things I want to do. He’s my role model and I just hope I’m doing him proud. I model how I play after him and how I treat my teammates is all taken after him.”

"He’s great and he realizes that he’s done," Seth said. "He’s more of a coach now and he picks on things he sees and he’s just like any other coach. We try to keep it coach-to-player, not brother-to-brother."

While their playing days together are over, both the Dugan brothers said they have fond memories of playing basketball together in the driveway. Whether it was 1-on-1 or “PIG,” the duo said it was always competitive.

So, who won the majority of the showdowns?

“Me, of course,” Seth said with a laugh. “I won about 70 percent of the time.”

Reid, on the other hand, said Seth’s memory might be a little foggy.

“Of course he said that,” Reid said with a look of disbelief. “It was the other way around. I used to beat up on him all the time. Then he caught up to me and we haven’t played since.”

While he may be taller, Seth said he still knows his brother is bigger.